Navratri in Gujarat and Western India
The most famous Navratri celebrations are held in the western states of India (Gujarat and Maharashtra). Traditional dances in the form of Dandiya and Garba take place almost everywhere. The dancers move around in a circle, with different steps around a lamp, which signifies the Eternal Light of the Durga.Generally Gujarati men and women wearing colorful dresses dance around in a circle by clapping their hands or decorated sticks to the rhythm of the devotional songs. After worshipping and Aarti , Dandiya raas is performed throughout the night.
In Maharashtra, celebrations are slightly different. Navratri is dedicated to Goddess Durga while the Vijayadashami is dedicated to Saraswati, the Goddess of Knowledge. Here, this day is considered auspicious to start education, buy new homes, and start new ventures.
Listed below are some traditional Garba and Dandiya songs for you to dance to during Navratri :
Pankhida Tu Udi Jaaye
Kukado Bole
Dhor Mari Anguthdino Chor
Kumkumna Pagla Padiya
Gokulni Gwalan
Mari Mahisagar Ne Aare
Bichhuda Bichhuda
Dham Dhammak Dham
Morli To Chali
Oonchi Talavdi Ni Kor
Rame Ambe Maa
Aavo To Ramvane
Dholi Tara Wage Re Dhol Mazam Ratre
Dholi Daldu Taru Dai De
Ke Kari Kahoon Tane O Chhori
Zanzarioo Bole
E Raju Aro Dhol Wage
Sayla Hu To Bhandhani Tari Pritma
Mara Sajan Ni Prit
Navratri in West Bengal
In West-Bengal, Navratri is celebrated in the form of Durga Puja. This festival is essentially religious in nature. Celebrated with true devotion, huge idols of the Goddess Durga posed as killing the demon Mahishasura are worshipped everywhere in West Bengal. Huge pandals are set up every where and devotees in large numbers visit to worship Goddess Durga. Men, women and child
ren all dressed up in new clothes visit different ‘pandals’ to offer prayers to the Mother Goddess.Navratri in Himachal Pradesh
In the Kulu valley of Himachal Pradesh, the hill-folk celebrate Dasara with a grand mass ceremony. On the day of Dussehra, village deities are taken out in elaborate processions.Navratri in Tamil Nadu
In Tamil Nadu, the first three days are dedicated to the worship of Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth and prosperity. During this time they perform puja every night and regular cleaning is maintained all throughout because it is believed that Lakshmi would not enter if the place is dirty. The next three days are devoted to Saraswati, the Goddess of learning and arts and the last three days to Shakti (Durga).Navratri in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh
In Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, women arrange Bommai Kolu , a special placing of dolls in various costumes decorated with flowers and ornaments on specially prepared steps. Nine young kanyas or virgins are offered new clothes and sweets as the goddesses and married women share flowers, kumkum and snacks among themselves.The Dussehra of Mysore is also quite famous where decorated elephants lead a colorful procession through the gaily-dressed streets of the city. During Navratri Chamundi, the royal deity of the Mysore royalty is worshipped with pomp and religious fervor.
Navratri in Punjab
Navratri is celebrated in Punjab by fasting for seven days. On the eighth day or Ashtami, the fast is broken by worshipping young girls who are believed to symbolize the Goddess herself. This festival is predominantly linked with harvest. The young girls are offered puris (sort of deep-fried Indian bread), halwa (a dessert primarily made of flour and sugar), chanas (Bengal gram) and red chunnis (long scarves).देश भर में कहां कहां कैसे मनाई जाती है नवरात्रि, हिंदी में पढ़ें, क्लिक करें